El Desmarque Bizkaia say that Athletic have pre-empted increased interest in Benat, who has previously been linked with Liverpool and Arsenal, by offering Betis €8m to take back the player that left them in 2009 on a free transfer.

However, it is understood that Betis will turn down the offer as they hold him in a higher valuation. Benat’s current contract has a €20m buyout clause.